Pocket strip manuscript manipulating device



Oct. 19, 1939. R, F SMITH POCKET STRIP MANUSCRIPT MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed March 14, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l RUSSELL. E SMITH INVENTOR ATTORNEY Ott. 10, 1939@ R F SMITH 2,1?5,926

POCKET STRIP MANUSCRIPT MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed March 14, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 o zo 42 50 56 l2 40 fa 2 46 5X RUSSELL F SMITH INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1939. R. F. sMlTH 2,175,926

POCKET STRIP MANUSCRIPT MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed March 14, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 QUSSELL F SMITH INVENTOR BY mw QM ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POCKET STRIP MANUSCRIPT MANIPULAT- ING DEVICE 15 Claims.

My invention relates to strip manuscript manipulating devices for use by speakers, readers, lecturers, actors, etc. and includes a device of relatively small compass, which can be readily carried in the pocket or concealed in the palm of the hand.

In devices of this description, in the prior art, which have displayed reading indicia to the sight of the speaker through the top thereof, the means for manipulating the take-up roll thereof has comprised a turning member which has been practically impossible to manipulate by the same hand which is holding the device. This has tended to render this type of device awkward and has greatly limited its use.

An object of my invention is to provide a device which is not only readily held in the palm of the hand in a concealed position, but which may also be readily manipulated by the same hand which is holding it.

A further object of my invention is to provide a turning mechanism for a take-up roll in a device of this description, comprising a reciprocatable piston, which may be reciprocated inwards by the thumb and outwards by resilient pressure and means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and my invention includes in combination therewith braking means for said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

A further feature of my invention is that I preferably so construct said resilient braking means so that it will function to prevent such 35 lreverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston, yet will be capable of yielding on excessive turning pressure to permit such reverse rotation for unwinding said manuscript strip oif said take-up roll.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device with a light to emphasize the manuscript being fed so that the device can be employed on the stage or where there is a minimum amount of light for the speaker.

Further features of my invention relate to the construction of the individual parts thereof, which are particularly designed for the ready insertion and removal of a roll of manuscript strip within the device, both before and after use and the specic construction of the various parts employed.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter' appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a plan view of a pocket strip manuscript device constructed in accordance with my invention in operating position in the palm of a users hand with the thumb in position to manipulate my improved take-up 5 roll manipulating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the improved pocket strip manuscript manipulating device shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device with the end pieces and manuscript strip removed.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the une 5 5 of Fig. 2. 15

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the let-01T end of my device taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. I is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view through the take-up end of my device along the line 9 9 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the manipulating mechanism of my device.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line |0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11.is a longitudinal sectional view of the take-up end of my invention taken along the line Il ll of Fig. 9 at right angles to the sectional view shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view through the braking means and the manipulating mechanism of my invention taken along the line l2 |2 of Fig. 9.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 20 generally indicates a pocket manuscript strip manipulating device constructed in accordance with my invention. Said device 20 comprises a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand as shown in Fig. 1 having side walls 22 preferably provided with the semi-circular ends 3G having semi-annular grooves 32 on the surface of the interior portion thereof and longitudinal strip edge guide slots 34 in the upper portions of the interior surfaces thereof and portions 38 and 4l) projecting inwardly therefrom at a spaced distance from the ends thereof to form with detachable end pieces 24 to be described, the let-off compartment 26 and the takeup compartment 28 respectively. Said container 213 is provided with the base 42 extending substantially to the lower terminals of said semicircular grooves 32. Said base is preferably provided with the vertical longitudinally spaced transverse strip guide forming partitions 44 projecting upwardly therefrom to slightly below said guide slots 34 forming a central compartment 45.

I preferably provide means in said central compartment to illuminate said strip and for this purpose, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, I provide the aligned leaf springs 48 projecting inwardly from said partition at one side of said central compartment 46 and I mount the small primary cell 50 longitudinally in said compartment 46 with the ends thereof abutting said springs. I also suitably mount the light 52 within said compartment 46 in a suitable bore in the base thereof energized by the wire 54 from said primary cell 50.

As the portions of said container readily removable for insertion and removal of said manuscript strip roll from said respective compartments 26 and 28, I provide the resilient hemitubular end pieces 24 adapted to have the edges 56 thereof detachably sprung Within said grooves 32. The metal of said end pieces is preferably resilient for this purpose, so that the edge portions thereof may be resiliently expanded to fit within said grooves and permanently remain in position on said grooves as long as needed, and yet due to their resiliency the end pieces may be capable of being removed from said grooves 32 upon the necessary amount of pressure being exerted thereon. As stated, said end pieces 24, when in attached position, form with said inwardly projecting side wall portions 38 and 40 respectively manuscript roll-holding let-oif and take-up compartments 26 and 28 respectively at the ends of said container.

As stated hitherto, the `container is provided with an open top portion 58 for displaying therethrough the speaking, prompting, or other indicia 60 on the manuscript strip 62 being manipulated through my device. A roll 64 of such suitably printed manuscript strip material is inserted within the let-off compartment 26, the free end thereof is then carried over said partitions 44 and inserted underneath a suitable retaining member 65 on the take-up roll 66 in the take-up compartment 28, the edges of said manuscript strip 62 being inserted within said guide slots 34 in each respective side wall of said container. The take-up roll 66 may then be rotated in any desired manner, but my invention particularly relates to the improved type of means I preferably employ for rotating said take-up roll 66 to feed the manuscript strip at the desired speed through the open top 58 of the container 20 as needed by the speaker. For turning the take-up roll 66 in the takeup compartment 28, I preferably employ a reciprocatable piston rod 10 projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container 20 having an operating handle, such as the thumb piece l2 on the end thereof and I provide means to transmit and translate inward reciprocatory motion of said piston rod 10 into rotary movement of said take-up roll 66 and I also provide braking means '|4 for said take-up roll 66 operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston rod 1D, said braking means being preferably resilient and capable of yielding on excessive turning pressure to permit such reverse rotation of said take-up roll for unwinding said manuscript strip 62 oil" said take-up roll without removal of said take-up roll from said compartment 28. In my preferred embodiment said manipulating means, Which as shown in Fig. l, may be manipulated by the thumb I6 of a hand I8, the palm 86 of which is holding said container 20 with the iingers 82 thereof grasping the opposite side wall so as to retain said manipulating device within the palm of the hand, is preferably constructed as follows: The'outer side wall 22 of said container 20 is provided with a circular hole 84 in the take-off compartment end thereof and the interior surface of the inner side wall 23 is provided with the trunnion bearing 86, and a radial groove 88 extending outwardly from said trunnion bearing. The take-up roll 66 is preferably hollow having a hollow outer end 89 aligned with said circular hole 84 in the outer side Wall 22 of said container. The inner end 62 of said hollow roll 66 has a solid cylindrical plug 96 in the inner end thereof, which plug 90 extends axially beyond its respective roll inner end as at 94 and is provided with a trunnion 96 projecting axially therefrom into said inner side wall trunnion bearing 86. The piston rod 'I0 is also preferably hollow and is provided with an inner plug 60 reciprocatable from a position substantially abutting said roll plug to a position adjacent said hollow roll outer end 86. A circular piston head |60 is rigidly mounted within the inner end of said hollow piston rod 'l0 to form the piston per se of said device. Said piston head |06 is provided with a turning slot |02, which may be rectangular or curved, if desired, extending diametrically outwardly from the center thereof. The manipulating handle 'l2 may comprise a concave thumb piece mounted on the outer end thereof. I provide a flat strip |04 having its inner end |06 anchored within said roll plug 82 as by the pin |08 and having a spirally twisted turning thread forming center portion I6 extending through said diametrically extending slot |02 and so shaped at its outer end as to not pass through the slot |02, in the preferred embodiment being provided with the cross pin ||2 for this purpose.

I provide a helical expansion spring ||4 coiled at a spaced distance around the spirally threaded center portion H0 of said strip having its inner end H6 abutting the roll plug 92 and its outer end HS abutting said piston head |00. It is thus obvious that inward movement of said piston rod l0, the piston head |00 being rigidly contained therein, will cause rotation of the member E64 as the helically twisted center portion ||6 thereof is forced through said slot |02, thereby causing rotation of said plug 92 and attached take-up roll 66 in a direction to rotate said take-up roll to take up the manuscript strip thereon to feed said manuscript strip across said opening 58, I have discovered, however, that some type of braking means must be provided to prevent rotation of said take-up roll 66 on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston. While any suitable type of resilient braking means for this purpose may be provided, preferably one which is capable of yielding on excessive turning pressure to permit such reverse rotation of said take-up roll for unwinding the manuscript strip ofi said take-up roll 66, I preferably construct my improved braking means for this purpose as follows: I preferably provide a helically wound braking spring 'i4 coiled around said roll extension lfl at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll on manipulation of said piston in the direction to take up said strip on inward movement of said piston. Said spring is provided with an inner end H projecting radially outwardly therefrom normally contained within the radial side wall slot 33 to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston. Inasmuch as the spring H4 for returning the piston to its outermost position is not particularly strong, it is obvious that the inner end I l5 of said spring 14 will remain in said notch 38 to sufficiently anchor the spring I4 so that the coils thereof will grip the extension 94 to prevent this reverse rotation. However, it is desirable to reversely rotate the take-up roll 66 to unwind the manuscript strip 62 therefrom and on excessive reverse rotative pressure being exerted on the roll 66, it is obvious that the radial end H5 may successively slip out of said notch 313 and rotate circumferentially until the strip 62 is entirely removed from the take-up roll 66. While various types of braking springs have hitherto been provided, so far as I am aware, I am the first to provide a spring which will only function as a brake on a small amount of pressure and will cease to function as such on a greater amount of turning pressure for a specific other functionl To use the device, it is merely necessary to remove the end pieces 24 insert a let-off roll of suitably prepared manuscript strip 64 within the compartment 26 and suitably feed the edges cf said strip within the guide slots 34 and end of said strip within the retaining means 65 provided for this purpose on the take-up roll 66. The end pieces 24 may then be attached to the container 2E) in the manner hitherto explained. The device may then be held in the palm of the hand as in Fig. l and as the speaker proceeds, it is merely necessary to press in on his thumb on the handle 'l2 for the piston rod 'I0 and as the piston rod is pushed inwards it is obvious that it Will rotate the take-up roll to progressively advance the manuscript strip through the open top 5S of the container 2li. It is then merely necessary to release the thumb from the handle when the spring H4 will again urge the piston head It!) and piston rod 'lil outwards, the braking means i4 functioning while this is taking place to prevent reverse rotation of the takeup roll SS.

It is thus apparent that on each successive reciprocation of the piston lll, the manuscript strip will be advanced through the open top 58 and the speaker can keep full control of the speed at which the manuscript strip is fed by manipulating his thumb for this purpose. When he has completed his speech, it is merely necessary to remove the end piece 24 from the take-up roll compartment 23 and pull the manuscript strip S orf the take-up roll 66, the end H5 of the braking spring 'i4 slipping out of the notch 83 and winding circumferentially past the notch 88 until said manuscript strip is removed. Then if desired, the piston 'lli may be pushed inwards towards the container 2i? and on slight rotation thereof, the locking pin |26 may slip into the locking notch i22 therefor to retain the piston in position so that the manuscript manipulating device will be conveniently contained in the speakers pocket. When it is then desired to use the device, it is merely necessary to insert another manuscript strip within the device and proceed in the manner previously indicated.

It is apparent that I have provided a novel type of pocket strip manuscript manipulating device for speakers, actors, or other persons, which may be readily carried by them in a concealed position in the palm of the hand and operated by the same hand which holds the container in a substantially unnoticeable manner and when necessary in the dark or a dim light With the other advantages explained above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims What I claim is:

l. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a Size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and detachable end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-olf compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely Within said take-up compartment, said side Walls having longitudinal guide slots on the inner surface thereof for guiding the edges of said manuscript Strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container and said base having partitions projecting upwardly therefrom to support said manuscript strip, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement yof said piston.

2. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a ilat hollow container of a size tobe contained in the palm of a hand, having side walls and end Walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions or said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top Wall of said container, a recipro catable piston having a piston rod projecting'axially outwardly from said takeeup roll laterally of said container having an Operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said takeup roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said takeup roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

3. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having side walls and end Walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and resilient braking means for Said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said takeup roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston capable of yielding on excessive turning pressure to permit such reverse rotation for unwinding said manuscript strip off said take-up roll.

4. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and detachable end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said letoff roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall 4o; reciprocatory movement of said piston.

5. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely Within said take-up compartment, said side walls having longitudinal guide slots on the inner surfaces thereof for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container and said base having partitions projecting upwardly therefrom to support said manuscript strip, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

6. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having side walls having substantially semi-circular ends having semi-annular grooves on the surfaces of the interior portions thereof and longitudinal strip edge guide slots in the upper portions of the inner surfaces thereof having downwardly inclined ends and portions projecting inwardly therefrom at a spaced distance from the ends thereof and a base extending substantially to the lower terminals of said semi-circular grooves having spaced transverse strip guide forming partitions projecting upwardly therefrom to below said guide slots forming a central compartment, aligned leaf springs projecting inwardly from said partitions, a storage battery mounted longitudinally in said compartment between said springs, a light mounted within said central compartment energized by said storage battery, resilient semi-tubular end pieces adapted to have the ends thereof detachably secured within said grooves to form with said inwardly projecting side wall portions strip roll holding let-off and take-up compartments at the ends thereof, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said letoif compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said strip material extending from said let-off roll to said take-up roll with the edges thereof contained within said guide slots, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

7. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having side walls having substantially semi-circular ends having semi-annular grooves on the surfaces of the interior portions thereof and longitudinal strip edge guide slots in the upper portions of the inner surfaces thereof having downwardly inclined ends and portions projecting inwardly therefrom at a spaced distance from the ends thereof and a base extending substantially to the lower terminals of said semi-circular grooves having spaced transverse strip guide forming partitions projecting upwardly therefrom to below said guide slots forming a central compartment, a light mounted within said central compartment, resilient semi-tubular end pieces adapted to have the ends thereof detachably secured within said grooves to form with said inwardly projecting side wall portions strip roll holding let-off and take-up compartments at the ends thereof, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said strip material extending from said let-off roll to said take-up roll with the ends thereof contained within said guide slots, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

8. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having side walls having substantially semi-circular ends having semi-annular grooves on the surfaces of the interior portions thereof and longitudinal strip edge guide slots in the upper portions of the inner surfaces thereof having downwardly inclined ends and portions projecting inwardly therefrom at a spaced distance from the ends thereof and a base extending substantially to the lower terminals of said semi-circular grooves having spaced transverse strip guide forming partitions projecting upwardly therefrom to below said guide slots forming a central compartment, resilient semi-tubular end pieces adapted to have the ends thereof detachably secured within said grooves to form with said inwardly projecting side wall portions strip roll holding let-off and take-up compartments at the ends thereof, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-on" compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said strip material extending from said let-off roll to said take-up roll with the ends thereof contained within said guide slots, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

9. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a iiat hollow container of a size 'to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end wails forming a letoff compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartment, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-on? compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, said take-up compartment having a circular hole in the outer side wall thereof and a trunnion bearing on the interior surface of the inner side wall thereof and a radial groove extending from said trunnion bearing, said take-up roll comprising a hollow roll having a hollow end aligned with said outer side wall circular hole, a cylindrical plug in the inner vend thereof having a trunnion projecting axially therefrom into said inner side wall trunnion bearing, said plug extending axially beyond its respective roll inner end, a hollow piston rod having an inner end reciprocal from a position substantially abutting said roll plug to a position adjacent the hollow roll outer end, circular piston head means rigidly mounted within the inner end of said hollow piston rod having a turning slot extending diametrically outwardly from the center thereof, and a concave thumb pieceat the outer end thereof, a flat strip having its inner end rigidly secured to said roll plug having a central spirally twisted turning thread forming portion extending through said diametrically extending slot and shaped at its outer 'end to bearingly engage said slot, a helical expansion spring coiled at a spaced distance around the spirally threaded center portion of said strip having its inner end abutting said roll plug and its outer end abutting said piston head and a helical braking spring coiled around said roll plug extension at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end projecting radially outwardly therefrom normally contained in said radial side wall groove to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston, said inner end slipping out of said radial groove on greater turning pressure to permit reverse rotation of said take-up roll for removal of the manuscript strip therefrom.

10. VA pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to beA contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertionand removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartment, a roll of strip material loosely conta'ined'in said let-olf compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges 0f said manuscriptv strip from said let-off roll'to said takeup roll tol display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, said take-up compartment having a circular hole in the outer side wall thereof and a trunnion bearing on the interior surface of the inner side wall thereof and a radial groove extending from said trunnionbearing, said take-up roll comprising a hollow roll having a hollow end aligned with said outer side wall circular hole, a cylindrical plug in the inner end thereof having a trunnion projecting axially therefrom into said inner side wall trunnion bearingrsaid plug lextending axially beyond its respective roll inner end, a hollow piston rod having an inner end reciprocal from a position substantially abutting said roll plug to a position adjacent the hollow roll outer end,

circular piston head means rigidly mounted within the inner end of said hollow piston rod having a turning slot extending diametrically outwardly from the center thereof, and a concave thumb piece at the outer end thereof, a flat strip having its inner end rigidly secured to lsaid roll plug having` a central Aspirally twisted turning thread forming portion vextending through said diametrically extending slot and shaped at its outer end to bearingly engage said slot, a helical expansion spring coiled at a spaced distance around thespirally threaded center portion of said strip having its innerend abutting said roll plug and its outer end abutting said piston head and a helical'bral'ing spring coiled around Said roll plug extension'at aspaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of s aid take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end projecting radially outwardly therefrom contained in said radial side wall groove to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston.

11. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base. side walls and end Walls forming a letoff compartment at one end thereof, and a takeup compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a hollow rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said takeup roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a hollow piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll, including a spirally threaded member rigidly mounted in the inner end of said hollow roll and projecting axially outwardly therein and a piston head rigidly mounted Within said hollow piston rod having a diametrically extending slot shaped to receive said spirally threaded member and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston.

12. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartment, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of sand manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll, a tubular extension projecting axially inwardly from the inner end of said roll and a helical braking spring coiled around said roll extension at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end normally anchored to a side wall to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston, said inner end being releasable on greater turning pressure to permit reverse rotation of said take-up roll for removal of the manuscript strip therefrom.

13. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a ilat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls' forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartment, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment,

a rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocating movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll, a tubular extension projecting axially inwardly from the inner end of said roll and a helical braking spring coiled around said roll extension at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end anchored to a side wall to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said spool against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston.

14. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-off compartment, a hollow rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-olf roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a hollow piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocatory movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll, including a spirally threaded member rigidly mounted on the inner end of said hollow roll and projecting axially outwardly therein and a piston head rigidly mounted within said hollow piston rod having a diametrically extending slot shaped to receive said spirally threaded member, and braking means for said take-up roll operable to prevent reverse rotation of said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston, comprising a tubular extension projecting axially inwardly from the inner end of said roll and a helical braking spring coiled around said roll extension at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end projecting radially outwardly therefrom normally anchored to a side wall to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston, said inner end being releasable on greater turning pressure to permit reverse rotation of said take-up roll for removal of the manuscript strip therefrom.

15. A pocket strip manuscript manipulating device comprising a flat hollow container of a size to be contained in the palm of a hand, having a base, side walls and end walls forming a let-off compartment at one end thereof, and a take-up compartment at the opposite end thereof, portions of said container being removable for insertion and removal of manuscript strip rolls from said compartments, a roll of strip material loosely contained in said let-oil compartment, a hollow rotatable take-up roll mounted transversely within said take-up compartment, said container having means for guiding the edges of said manuscript strip from said let-off roll to said take-up roll to display the manuscript indicia thereon through the open top wall of said container, a reciprocatable piston having a hollow piston rod projecting axially outwardly from said take-up roll laterally of said container having an operating handle mounted on the end thereof, means to transmit and translate inward reciprocatory movement of said piston into rotary movement of said take-up roll, including a spirally threaded member rigidly mounted in the inner end of said hollow roll and projecting axially outwardly therein and a piston head rigidly mounted within said hollow piston rod having a diametrically extending slot shaped to receive said spirally threaded member and braking means for said take-up roll on outward reciprocatory movement of said piston, comprising a tubular extension projecting axially inwardly from the inner end of said roll and a helical braking spring coiled around said roll extension at a spaced circumferential distance to permit rotation of said take-up roll in a direction to take up said strip on inward reciprocating movement of said piston, said spring having an inner end anchored to a side wall to cause circumferential compression of said spring to brake said roll against reverse rotation on outward reciprocating movement of said piston.

RUSSELL F. SMITH. 

